Wednesday Words for January 9, 2013
from Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day:
“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.”
― Anne Lamott
In our prayers: Alice McDonald, in hospice care at home; the Mattick family, recuperating after a serious case of the flu; Judy Engebretsen, home after pacemaker surgery; Carol Stupar, back in the hospital with kidney issues; Sharon Saunders, respiratory infection.
Do you have a prayer request? You can submit prayers to the church office at churchoffice@bethanylc.com and they will be passed on to our Prayer Chain Ministry.
Joyful news! The Kloepfers want to share the news of the birth of a grandson, Garrison Charles Kloepfer! He was born on January 7 in Florida, weighing 9 pounds, 14 ounces. Thanks be to God!
Tonight at Bethany:Everything is back in full swing! Choirs will practice as usual. Confirmation is back in session. We will gather for worship at 6:30 pm in Luther Hall. Hope to see you there!
Sunday at Bethany:This week we will hear the story of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, and we will celebrate the baptism of Brock Barneveld, age 6, at the 9 am service! Pastor Paul will be preaching this week, and special music will be offered by the Sonshine Singers at the 9 and 10:45 am services.
In Sunday School, our kids are now beginning the morning with an opening—joining all ages together for songs, announcements, and sharing. Doesn’t that bring back memories?! This week, Jim Bradshaw will teach them about their new giving project. Sunday School offerings will go toward purchasing chickens, ducks, or even a cow for a family in need! You can learn more here: ELCA Good Gifts
19th Annual Bach for the Sem Benefit Concert: Jan. 13, 4:00 p.m. at St. Luke Church, 1500 West Belmont, Chicago.
A benefit concert for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago presented by professional singers and instrumentalists. Bethany member Cathy Peters and Pastor Carrie will both be performing!
Pre-concert introduction by WFMT’s Carl Grapentine at 3:30 p.m. Meet James Nieman, the new president of LSTC, at the post-concert reception.
Adults: $20/22 at the door; Seniors and Students: $10/12 at the door; Children under 12 free. For tickets call 773-256-0712 or email Ruth Ann Deppe at rdeppe@lstc.edu
Bethany Arts Series Concert on January 20 at 4 pm: Enjoy an afternoon of beautiful and inspiring organ music performed on Bethany Lutheran Church's celebrated organ. Nationally acclaimed organ master, Professor Craig Cramer, of the University of Notre Dame, will perform music that will showcase Bethany's custom-built organ in all its musical splendor! The builder of our beautiful organ will also be in attendance. Concerts are free; a freewill offering will be collected.
Celebrate the legacy of MLK!
4th Annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
Monday, January 21, 2013, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Reverend Dr. Calvin Morris, Keynote speaker
Breakfast: Vegetarian Buffet
D’Andrea Banquet Hall: 4419 US Rte14, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Tickets: Adults $20 Students $15 (Tickets are available in the Bethany Church Office)
Seniors: The Senior Breakfast Club also meets on Monday, January 21! If you are not attending the MLK Breakfast, meet at Colonial Café ta 8:30 am.
Worship Leaders’ Workshop: Saturday, January 26 from 9-noon
9 am Readers ; 10 am Assisting Ministers; 11 am Home Communion Ministers
Come to one, two, or all three sessions. This is a workshop for those who have served as worship leaders for many years, as well as for for those who have never served. Come and refresh your skills, or come and investigate the possibilities! RSVP to Pastor Carrie at carrie.smith@bethanylc.com
(If you have interest in serving, but this date does not work for you, please also email and let me know! We will be happy to offer another workshop soon.)
Stewardship: Have you turned in a pledge for 2013? It’s not too late! Out of 500 member families, around 125 have submitted financial pledges. Just think what we could do if everyone contributed! Just think of the ministry that could happen if everyone volunteered for one thing this year! Pledge cards are available at the Church Information Desk and can be turned into the office or placed in the offering plate on Sundays.
This Week’s Texts: Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7
43But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. 4Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; 6I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— 7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Psalm 29 (Message Version)
Bravo, God, bravo!
Gods and all angels shout, “Encore!”
In awe before the glory, in awe before God’s visible power.
Stand at attention! Dress your best to honor him!
God thunders across the waters,
Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
God, across the flood waters.
God’s thunder tympanic,
God’s thunder symphonic. God’s thunder smashes cedars,
God topples the northern cedars.
The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.
God’s thunder spits fire.
God thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.
God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!”
Above the floodwaters is God’s throne
from which his power flows,
from which he rules the world.
God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.
Acts 8:14-17
14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Peace,
+ Pastor Carrie Smith
